Author: Health Freedom Idaho

  • Help Make a Difference in Health and the Ecology By Supporting Holistic Land Management

    Help Make a Difference in Health and the Ecology By Supporting Holistic Land Management

    We hear frequently in the media that “meat is destroying the planet” by creating too much C02 in the atmosphere. But what if traditional, holistic land management using livestock was an effective way to address ecological degradation and solve these problems?

    One-third of the earth’s surface is grasslands. 70 percent of the earth’s grasslands have been degraded due to modern practices that have caused desertification and harmed our ecology. Holistic Land Management accomplishes something significant; it sequesters carbon and methane back into the soil where it belongs and lowers the CO2 in the atmosphere to create a drought-tolerant environment. When the soil holds more water, we see regeneration and thriving ecologies come to life. “The moisture is held longer in the soil, so the crops can grow for a longer period of time,” states Simon Garikayi, ACHM’s director of training (Africa Centre for Holistic Management in Zimbabwe). As for food, “they have a bit of reserves.”

    How does Holistic Land Management work?

    Allan Savory, founder of the Savory Institute describes a process whereby livestock behavior is managed mimic wild herbivores that roamed the plains such as buffalos and antelope. These animals natural nibbling of grasses promotes growth of these plants while their waste provides nutrients to the soil. Then they trample action aerates soil and compresses dead plant matter which is decomposes by microorganisms into the soil. There is no over grazing because the animals are rotated to different areas, similar to the natural movement of these wild animal herds. Plant cover isn’t damaged and has ample time to regenerate. Read more from Utne and Regenerating Grasslands.

    Historically, animals have grazed on, fertilized and restored the soil and ecosystems. Animals and plants cannot exist without one another and Savory applies this knowledge putting practical experience to work in locations all over the world. The farmers who use holistic land management know and understand the essential, symbiotic relationship that has been observed and studied by stewards of the earth such Savory, historian and continuing student of land stewardship.

    Health benefits

    Supporting farmers that use traditional practices that keep and rotate animals on pasture and range land, and who strive to adhere to the principles of holistic land management such as those taught by Savory Institute is not only essential to maintaining these farmers’ efforts in preserving the land and environment, it is also preserving of human health. Nutritionally-balanced animal foods that contain the correct balance of Omega 3 essential fatty acids, CLA (conjugated linoleic acid), and fat-soluble Vitamins A and E are critical for:

    • Cancer and diabetes-reducing
    • Supporting every cell and system in the body
    • Heart-friendly, supportive of cardiovascular health
    • Brain health. Omega 3s help deter conditions including ADD/ADHD, Alzheimer’s Diease, depression and schizophrenia

    Animals raised on industrially-confined facilities produce not only less-than optimal food from unhealthy animals, but confer those properties to those consuming them. Feedlot animal and bird products are nutritionally imbalanced with lower levels of Omega 3s, Vitamin E, and CLA and also contain residue from antibiotics, hormones, pesticide, herbicide and genetically-modified feed given to the animals (soy, corn, grain and other inappropriate feed including potato, bakery, and food starch waste, candy, and also animal by-products). Conventionally-raised meat is more likely to contain pathogenic bacteria such as E. coli and other antibiotic-resistant strains including MRSA.

    Read more about the nutritional benefits of grassfed beef and pasture-raised dairy and poultry foods from Eat Wild and The Fern.

    Support local farmers who raise animals and birds on pasture. Ask producers questions about whether antibiotics, hormones, or genetically-modified feed are used. Pasture-raising with minimal grain is optimal for cattle and other livestock. Chickens and turkeys are omnivores whose natural diet includes grains and vegetables, grasses, and roaming the land, hunting and pecking insects and small creatures such as mice.

    Please donate to help keep these efforts going. For more information, visit Savory Institute.

  • Help Us Bring Elijah Home DONATION PAGE

    Help Us Bring Elijah Home DONATION PAGE

    Ari and Diamond are experiencing a horrifying situation after the removal of their son and the loss of bonding time with him. It appears that the State feels this couple is unfit to care for and raise their child due to their vaccination choices and because of Diamond’s disability. Many times in cases involving CPS, the hospital staff will refer families with a parental disability to social services, instead of offering ADA resources and accommodations that support the family. The welfare of this infant is not served by breaking up this family. The well being of the family and baby are best served when the mother has access to her child. You can help!!! (Read their story below).

    DONATE VIA THE GOGETFUNDING CAMPAIGN – OR – VIA PAYPAL

    Your donations here are designated to go 100% to the family’s fund.
    GoGetFunding Campaign PayPal

    Fundraising with GoGetFunding

    Baby Elijah is in desperate need of his loving mother and father, with so much precious time wasted. Please friends, this family needs to be reunited TODAY! While Diamond’s local family and friends are providing resources and local emotional support. Families across the state and the country can offer additional support with a donation here. We are raising funds to help provide this family with paid help, with legal costs, and anything else this family will need at this time. Baby Elijah cannot spend another minute in the foster care program, when he has dedicated, loving parents and an amazing community just waiting to embrace him.

    Health Freedom Idaho is coordinating a LEGAL, SAFETY and CAREGIVING FUND to help unite Elijah with his loving parents. Initially we set up a YouCaring donation page, but that organization pulled it down. We will NOT STOP trying to get help for this family.

    Their Story:

    On Monday November 20th, 2017, Diamond and Ari Mehlhoff, residents of North Idaho, were waiting in anticipation of their miracle baby, their first born child Elijah. The video of their new baby, their family, community and church rejoicing was posted for all to see. Diamond had dreamed of being a mother and had been waiting for this moment for 5 years. Finally, their beautiful, healthy baby boy was here.

    The parents did their due diligence, researched and prayed about medical choices for their child. As a result of that research, they made the decision to opt out of the newborn vaccination. Family reports that this seemed to set off a cascade of unfathomable events for this young couple.

    On Wednesday, November 22nd, just 2 days after Diamond’s C-section and baby Elijah’s birth, the baby was taken away from his loving and now completely heartbroken parents. Why would the State do this? Do people feel that this couple is unfit to care for and raise their child because of Diamond’s diagnosis of cerebral palsy (a non-progressive movement disorder)? Or are they discriminated against for their choice to avoid newborn vaccinations?

    As you can imagine, Ari and Diamond are completely beside themselves, devastated at the thought of being away from their sweet boy for any amount of time, especially in the first most crucial days of bonding, protection, and love that this baby needs. Diamond continues to prepare and is still determined to nurse this beautiful baby that God has entrusted her with.

    Their story is egregious and also very puzzling. After all, it is not illegal in the State of Idaho to opt out of vaccinations (although HFI has received reports from fellow Idahoans being bullied into this decision, including the threat of CPS). And we know that people with disabilities are afforded the same God-given rights as everyone in their community. But what is unclear is why the hospital and State decided it was their right to take this child. While Diamond receives care, she lives with her husband and father. Her husband Ari is a doting and loving husband, who has been anxiously awaiting the birth of his son. And Ari’s grandfather is a respected member of the community, an ex-teacher, ex-sheriff. Both very capable of caring for a child. If this weren’t enough, the parents have an incredibly caring and devoted church community who have committed to setting up specific times in caring for this baby and family.

    At this time, the Mehlhoff’s don’t want to give the judge any reason to deny them even a minute away from their precious, newborn son, Elijah. Diamond and Ari’s community has set up an ongoing 24 hour care calendar for the next several months. Optimally, they would like to have the option of hiring a paid staff in place of this, anticipating that this would bring baby home sooner.

    As is often the case, the child protection proceedings are lengthy, thus extending the time away from the baby (causing more suffering) and increasing legal fees. The parent’s legal counsel is EXCELLENT and doing everything to support the family and set precedent in court for other families dealing with similar situations.

    1st Hearing November 27 UPDATE:

    UPDATE: Baby Elijah WAS NOT RETURNED to his family. His parents have not been allowed to see him since last Wednesday, November 22nd. As you can imagine, Ari and Diamond are completely beside themselves, devastated at the thought of being away from their sweet boy for any amount of time, especially in the first most crucial days of bonding, protection, and love that this baby needs. Diamond continues to prepare and is still determined to nurse this beautiful baby that God has entrusted her with.

    2nd Hearing November 29 UPDATE:

    Another emotional day for Diamond, Ari and their community in court today. There have been a couple new developments we’d like to share with you:
    Starting off with the best news first. Diamond and Ari will be allowed to see the baby for a little while tomorrow!!!! This will be the first time since last Wednesday, 11/22 when Elijah was just 2 days old, that the Mehlhoff’s will be able to lay eyes and hold their sweet baby.
    This will be bittersweet for the Mehlhoff’s as they will also need to say goodbye after just a short time.
    There is also a scheduled home visit to be done today. We were really pleased to hear that there is talk of coordinating a way to get breastmilk to the baby. Many of you have been asking about this. Diamond has been faithfully pumping and saving her supply. We at HFI feel that this is also a very crucial part of the baby’s development and anxiously hope that this materializes.

    There is another short hearing at 0800am tomorrow -Thursday 11/30- @ 205 N 4th Street CDA, ID 83814. And a decision hearing on Friday 12/1@ 0900.
    If you are able to, please come support this young family who have already been through so much. Prayers, well wishes, donations all very much appreciated. Please remember that because this is an ongoing case and a case that also involves a minor there is very little information that can be publicly released. All involved, any questions, media, news, etc. are being directed through their attorneys. Health Freedom Idaho will continue to report on public details as they become available. Thank you so much for your support for this family.

    Determination Hearing Friday December 1st

    ***UPDATE***We had the first taste of victory and justice as it was decided by the court that baby Elijah could go home!!!

    I arrived at the courthouse for the shelter hearing today ready for a long day of waiting through testimony. To my surprise the doors of the courtroom opened after only about 20 to 30 minutes of court being in session. We had the first taste of victory and justice as it was decided by the court that baby Elijah could go home with his mom (Diamond) and dad (Ari) TODAY!

    I witnessed the pure joy on Diamond’s face as she was wheeled out of the courtroom knowing that she would be able to hold, nurse, and bond with her baby today. The church members, friends, and family cheered, hugged, and cried as the news spread through those of us that had hunkered down for the long haul. The news came so quickly that it took a moment for it to all sink in and then people went into action and planning. There was an excited shout, “We have to get the carseat!”

    I have witnessed an incredibly supportive church family lead by pastor Brenden Biggs. Under his direction, the church had come together with a plan of 24 hour assistance for the family and the court agreed. According to state statute, the longest that this agreement can be in place is 3 months.

    We were not told facts specific to this case as it cannot be shared at this time.
    We do know that the legal procedure would be this:
    First there is a shelter care hearing. At this point, there can be a resolution reached which stipulates that there is a reason for the Dept to be involved. Part of allowing an agreement like this means that the party is then able to get the child back immediately.
    The case moves toward a pre-trial, then an adjudicatory hearing within 30 days (after the removal of the child). The parents can agree to move the hearing but the hard date is 3 months. The resolution put forth can stay in place for 30 days, but no later than 3 months.
    At 3 months a new resolution needs to be written or the case dismissed. The resolution can also be dismissed at anytime.

    Pre-trial hearing is set for Dec18th at 1:30 pm. The adjudicatory hearing set for Dec 22 at 9am. Of course, these times can be subject to change and we will notify you of any changes.

    This is a time to celebrate! It is also a time for the family to bond as a new family should. They have things to learn especially Diamond as she learns how to mother Elijah with a disability. This is no small task but now she has the opportunity to do this, as I would imagine that she intended, with the guidance and care of those that love her.

    As for the rest of us, we need to look into the heart of this issue which is the systematic overreach of the department. It is imperative that people know their rights and how to enact those rights from the beginning of a situation before it escalates. We plan on educating ourselves and you as we delve into the law and the protection that it can provide. We must do so keeping in mind that our human rights and parental rights are NOT granted to us by the government but by our Creator.

    Praise the Lord!
    Thank you all for your prayers and support. Today baby Elijah was returned to his kind, loving and very capable parents. I want to honor all those on both sides of this issue who worked diligently and deliberately to see this family reunited. There are still some obstacles before us and we still have much to do, but I have total confidence that our Heavenly Father is working on this and revealing Himself in the process, for His Glory. Stay prayerful and thank you all for maintaining an outward display of Godly integrity.
    Blessings! Pastor Biggs

  • Letter to Kootenai Health

    Letter to Kootenai Health

    I was made aware of the removal of Diamond Mehlhoff’s baby on the Wed before Thanksgiving. I am appalled by this act of discrimination against a mother with a disability. According to your website you don’t treat people differently based on disabilities.https://www.kh.org/non-discrimination/. Unfortunately, for baby Elijah, that has not been the case for his mommy.

    I would like to remind you that parental rights are GRANTED to us by neither the hospital nor the state. These are our God given rights with which you should not interfere. If you were given the absurd right to determine that a mother is not fit because she has an illness, where would you stop asserting that control? What if the parent is blind? What if the parent has cancer? What if the parent breaks an arm in a car crash? Would you deem these scenarios appropriate to remove ones own child from a loving home? I’m sure that you see the slippery slope that this can become when an entity determines that it can dictate the appropriate physical condition of a parent.

    When a parent is in need the community has a beautiful way of coming together to meet that need. You see the example of this with the church family that has surrounded Diamond and Ari and helped them through this trying time. They have and will continue to help this little budding family.

    The opposite is true when the government gets involved. When the government and departments get involved families are ripped apart and children are put into a foster care system that is proven to be much more dangerous than the home environment.

    The decision to interfere with the rights of these parents has definitely hurt your reputation in the community that you are there to serve. We have seen many comments to our posts that parents have felt bullied when it came to their vaccine decisions and the general lack of care that they have received in your facility.

    The atrocity of taking disabled parent’s children seems to be on the rise. Organizations have been created out of necessity to protect these parents and children. I never want to see Idaho participate in such an abhorrent act. I trust that you will do what you can to remedy this situation. I’m also hopeful that going forward you will honor our parental rights and respect where they originate from. There is much more good that can come from bringing a family and a community together than from tearing it apart.

    Miste Karlfeldt
    Executive Director
    Health Freedom Idaho

    Learn More about Elijah’s story at Reunite Elijah and Idaho Newborn Kidnapped by CPS

  • Help Bring Elijah Home

    Help Bring Elijah Home

    NOTE: We have a crowdfunding campaign setup to assist the family with legal costs relating to this matter. Please visit this page for more information on this situation and ways to help.

    UPDATE: Hearing on November 27th – BABY WAS NOT RETURNED! PARENTS HAVE NOT SEEN THEIR NEWBORN SON IN FIVE DAYS!

    Friends we have an incredibly important battle on our hands and a young family and their newborn son NEED YOUR HELP! Diamond Mehlhoff, who gave birth in Kootenai County @ Kootenai Hospital on Monday November 20th via C section. On Wednesday November 22nd, after the parents refused vaccination for the baby, the state became involved and took this beautiful baby, Elijah, from his loving parents, claiming the mother to be unfit due to a diagnosis of cerebral palsy (a non progressive movement disorder). They have stated the mother to be bedbound, which is not at all the accurate, she also lives with her husband Ari and the grandfather of the baby. This is an unbelievable, unheard of, egregious case of disability discrimination.

    Parental rights are not GRANTED to us by hospital officials or the state. These are our God given rights that the State should not interfere.
    Determining that this mother is “not fit to parent her child” simply because she has a disorder, where do you draw the line?

    What if the parent is blind? What it the parent has cancer? What if the parent breaks an arm in a car crash? When a parent is in need, the community comes together to keep the family together and healthy. When the hospital or the state gets involved, families are ripped apart and children are put into a foster care system that is proven WAY more dangerous and detrimental to the child.

    The US is uniting for a disabled Idaho mother who has had her baby taken by the state after she and the father chose not to vaccinate their newborn. This family will be back in court tomorrow fighting to bring their baby home.

    We must continue to call and email the hospital admin that began this atrocious act against a disabled mother and loving and very capable father. To contact the Kootenai Health administration office, email administration@kh.org or call Kootenai Health’s administrative office at (208) 625-4001.

    We must also continue to contact the legislators of that district and ask them to please get involved in reuniting this family.
    Representative Eric Redman eredman@house.idaho.gov (208) 623-6383
    Representative Vito Barbieri vbar@house.idaho.gov (208) 620-0873
    Senator Steve Vick sjvick@senate.idaho.gov (208) 819-4189

    It is unconscionable that sweet little Elijah has been away from his mommy and daddy for 5 days now. What about baby Elijah’s right to be breastfed and bond with his mommy and daddy in these most precious first days?

    This family will continue to lean on the support of their church family as they work together to be reunited.

    Health Freedom Idaho is working on a fundraiser for the family as they will have exorbitant costs through this process.

    THEY NEED YOUR HELP to bring their baby home!

    Contact the Hospital Adminstration and Idaho Elected Officials in District 2 Representatives Eric M. Redman, Vito Barbieri and Senator Steve Vick

    Easy cut and paste into your BCC portion of your email and send!

    eredman@house.idaho.gov, vbar@house.idaho.gov, sjvick@senate.idaho.gov, administration@kh.org

    Representative Eric Redman
    P.O. Box 40, Athol, 83801
    Home (208) 623-6383
    Statehouse (208) 332-1070 (Session Only)
    FAX (208) 623-6383

    Representative Vito Barbieri
    564 E. Prairie Ave., Dalton Gardens, 83815
    Home (208) 620-0873

    Senator Steve Vick
    2140 E. Hanley Ave., Dalton Gardens, 83815
    Home (208) 819-4189

    Kootenai Health
    2003 Kootenai Health Way
    Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814
    Jon Ness
    Chief Executive Officer
    (208) 625-4001

    Jeremy S. Evans
    Executive Vice President,
    Hospital and Regional Operations
    (208) 625-4001

    “Dear Rep or Sen ____I am attaching a link to an article about an Idaho family that is in your district. They desperately need your help. Kootenai Health has instigated a baby being taken from a mother with a non-progressive illness called cerebral palsy. Please get involved and take a stand for parental rights. Thank you for all that you do for our great state.”
    https://hfi2.designbyparrish.com/elijah

  • Newborn kidnapped by CPS after mother refused vaccination

    Newborn kidnapped by CPS after mother refused vaccination

    NOTE: We have a crowdfunding campaign setup to assist the family with legal costs relating to this matter. Please visit this page for more information on this situation and ways to help.

    Friends, we have an incredibly important battle on our hands. Something unconscionable has happened in North Idaho this last week. We were notified by the daughter of a local pastor here in Kootenai County regarding a woman of his congregation, Diamond Mehlhoff, who gave birth in Kootenai County @ KMC on Monday November 20th via c-section. On Wednesday November 22nd, after the parents refused vaccination for the baby, the state became involved and took this beautiful baby, Elijah, from his loving parents, claiming the mother to be unfit due to a diagnosis of cerebral palsy (a non progressive movement disorder).


    Diamond is an active individual who doesn’t let cerebral palsy slow her down.

    They have stated the mother to be bedbound, which is not at all accurate. She also lives with her husband Ari and the grandfather of the baby.

    This is an unbelievable, unheard of, egregious case of disability discrimination.

    Their court hearing is tomorrow, Monday 27th at 8am @ 205 N 4th Street Coeur D Alene ID 83814 in the Juvenile Justice Center. They are asking anyone available to please come support them.

    For those concerned that perhaps this family is ‘unfit’ Health Freedom Idaho has been researching this story since the day that it happened. We feel confident that this family’s parental rights have been violated under the guise of the mother’s illness. This kind of blatant disregard of parental rights is happening all over the country.

    It is very important to note that the state did not take any action until the parents expressed a desire not to vaccinate the child. We have much to do to raise awareness and shine a light on this blatant attack on parental rights and the rights of parents with disabilities.

    – Miste Karlfeldt, Executive Director Health Freedom Idaho

    THEY NEED YOUR HELP to bring their baby home!

    Contact the Hospital Adminstration and Idaho Elected Officials in District 2 Representatives Eric M. Redman, Vito Barbieri and Senator Steve Vick

    Easy cut and paste into your BCC portion of your email and send!

    eredman@house.idaho.gov, vbar@house.idaho.gov, sjvick@senate.idaho.gov, administration@kh.org

    Representative Eric Redman
    P.O. Box 40, Athol, 83801
    Home (208) 623-6383
    Statehouse (208) 332-1070 (Session Only)
    FAX (208) 623-6383

    Representative Vito Barbieri
    564 E. Prairie Ave., Dalton Gardens, 83815
    Home (208) 620-0873

    Senator Steve Vick
    2140 E. Hanley Ave., Dalton Gardens, 83815
    Home (208) 819-4189

    Kootenai Health
    2003 Kootenai Health Way
    Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814
    Jon Ness
    Chief Executive Officer
    (208) 625-4001

    Jeremy S. Evans
    Executive Vice President,
    Hospital and Regional Operations
    (208) 625-4001

  • Health Freedom Idaho on Idaho Living

    Health Freedom Idaho on Idaho Living

    I was in the news again! This time it was for the much more fun topic of what I keep in my medicine cabinet at home. It was fun to show Katie Neuman Rhodenbaugh some powerful holistic options for getting through the flu season and also hear some of her tips. I hope that this info helps some folks make a change away from antibiotics. We have SO MANY much better options available to us.

    CLICK THE PICTURE TO SEE THE VIDEO INTERVIEW.

    Here are some of the resources suggested in the video:

    Immunity Booster:
    Liposomal Vitamin C
    Vitamin A

    Growing Pains and Sleeping
    MagBrite available at the Karlfeldt Center
    Epson Salts (available at grocery stores)

    This article originally appeared at: http://idahonews.com/idaho-living/health-freedom-idaho.

  • Holiday Happiness: Pumpkin Truffles

    Holiday Happiness: Pumpkin Truffles

    Pumpkin Truffles Recipe:

    Melt on medium low: 1/8 cup coconut oil, 1/8 cup butter, ½ cup coconut butter (in Natural Food section by almond butter etc.).

    In bowl, mix: ½ cup unsweetened pumpkin puree
    2 tsp. pumkin pie spice mix,
    1 ½ tsp. ground cinnamon,
    1 tsp. vanilla extract,
    2 Tbsp. powdered xylitol
    (I powder 1 cup at a time in a blender and store any extra in glass jar for later use),
    2 heaping Tbsp. coconut flour,
    pinch of salt.

    Once blended, added melted ingredients above.
    Mix well. Let set to cool some and mix as you go if needed (may separate).

    Coating: Mix powdered xylitol and toasted shredded coconut (spread onto cookie sheet in thin layer and toast in 300 degree oven for 5-9 minutes…..watch as not to burn. I do 2 cookie sheets and store extra for later use).

    I use a Mellon Baller to measure out and place into coating to cover and than shape.

    Than sit back and enjoy the burst of Fall in your mouth!

    Make several batches and freeze. They freeze very nicely for up to about 3 months….if they last that long! 😀

    Visit my site for more healthy food recipes. DoctorMain.com

  • One of the most important medical advances in public health

    One of the most important medical advances in public health

    This is the story of a man whose ideas could have saved a lot of lives and spared countless numbers of women and newborns’ feverish and agonizing deaths. What Semmelweis had discovered is something that still holds true today: Hand-washing is one of the most important tools in public health. It can keep kids from getting the flu, prevent the spread of disease and keep infections at bay. Even today, convincing health care providers to take hand-washing seriously is a challenge. Hundreds of thousands of hospital patients get infections each year, infections that can be deadly and hard to treat. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says hand hygiene is one of the most important ways to prevent these infections.

    The year was 1846, and our would-be hero was a Hungarian doctor named Ignaz Semmelweis.

    Semmelweis was a man of his time, according to Justin Lessler, an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. Semmelweis considered scientific inquiry part of his mission as a physician.

    De Agostini Picture Library/Getty Images

    It was a time Lessler describes as “the start of the golden age of the physician scientist,” when physicians were expected to have scientific training.

    So doctors like Semmelweis were no longer thinking of illness as an imbalance caused by bad air or evil spirits. They looked instead to anatomy. Autopsies became more common, and doctors got interested in numbers and collecting data.

    The young Dr. Semmelweis was no exception. When he showed up for his new job in the maternity clinic at the General Hospital in Vienna, he started collecting some data of his own. Semmelweis wanted to figure out why so many women in maternity wards were dying from puerperal fever — commonly known as childbed fever.

    He studied two maternity wards in the hospital. One was staffed by all male doctors and medical students, and the other was staffed by female midwives. And he counted the number of deaths on each ward.

    When Semmelweis crunched the numbers, he discovered that women in the clinic staffed by doctors and medical students died at a rate nearly five times higher than women in the midwives’ clinic.

    But why?

    At Vienna General Hospital, women were much more likely to die after childbirth if a male doctor attended, compared to a midwife.

    Semmelweis went through the differences between the two wards and started ruling out ideas. Right away he discovered a big difference between the two clinics.In the midwives’ clinic, women gave birth on their sides. In the doctors’ clinic, women gave birth on their backs. So he had women in the doctors’ clinic give birth on their sides. The result, Lessler says, was “no effect.”

    Then Semmelweis noticed that whenever someone on the ward died of childbed fever, a priest would walk slowly through the doctors’ clinic, past the women’s beds with an attendant ringing a bell. This time Semmelweis theorized that the priest and the bell ringing so terrified the women after birth that they developed a fever, got sick and died.

    So Semmelweis had the priest change his route and ditch the bell. Lessler says, “It had no effect.”

    By now, Semmelweis was frustrated. He took a leave from his hospital duties and traveled to Venice. He hoped the break and a good dose of art would clear his head.

    When Semmelweis got back to the hospital, some sad but important news was waiting for him. One of his colleagues, a pathologist, had fallen ill and died. It was a common occurrence, according to Jacalyn Duffin, who teaches the history of medicine at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario.

    “This often happened to the pathologists,” Duffin says. “There was nothing new about the way he died. He pricked his finger while doing an autopsy on someone who had died from childbed fever.” And then he got very sick himself and died.

    Semmelweis studied the pathologist’s symptoms and realized the pathologist died from the same thing as the women he had autopsied. This was a revelation: Childbed fever wasn’t something only women in childbirth got sick from. It was something other people in the hospital could get sick from as well.

    But it still didn’t answer Semmelweis’ original question: “Why were more women dying from childbed fever in the doctors’ clinic than in the midwives’ clinic?”

    Duffin says the death of the pathologist offered him a clue.

    “The big difference between the doctors’ ward and the midwives’ ward is that the doctors were doing autopsies and the midwives weren’t,” she says.

    So Semmelweis hypothesized that there were cadaverous particles, little pieces of corpse, that students were getting on their hands from the cadavers they dissected. And when they delivered the babies, these particles would get inside the women who would develop the disease and die.

    If Semmelweis’ hypothesis was correct, getting rid of those cadaverous particles should cut down on the death rate from childbed fever.

    So he ordered his medical staff to start cleaning their hands and instruments not just with soap but with a chlorine solution. Chlorine, as we know today, is about the best disinfectant there is. Semmelweis didn’t know anything about germs. He chose the chlorine because he thought it would be the best way to get rid of any smell left behind by those little bits of corpse.

    What Semmelweis had discovered is something that still holds true today: Hand-washing is one of the most important tools in public health. It can keep kids from getting the flu, prevent the spread of disease and keep infections at bay.

    You’d think everyone would be thrilled. Semmelweis had solved the problem! But they weren’t thrilled.

    For one thing, doctors were upset because Semmelweis’ hypothesis made it look like they were the ones giving childbed fever to the women.

    And Semmelweis was not very tactful. He publicly berated people who disagreed with him and made some influential enemies.

    Eventually the doctors gave up the chlorine hand-washing, and Semmelweis — he lost his job.

    Semmelweis kept trying to convince doctors in other parts of Europe to wash with chlorine, but no one would listen to him.

    Even today, convincing health care providers to take hand-washing seriously is a challenge. Hundreds of thousands of hospital patients get infections each year, infections that can be deadly and hard to treat. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says hand hygiene is one of the most important ways to prevent these infections.

    Over the years, Semmelweis got angrier and eventually even strange. There’s been speculation he developed a mental condition brought on by possibly syphilis or even Alzheimer’s. And in 1865, when he was only 47 years old, Ignaz Semmelweis was committed to a mental asylum.

    The sad end to the story is that Semmelweis was probably beaten in the asylum and eventually died of sepsis, a potentially fatal complication of an infection in the bloodstream — basically, it’s the same disease Semmelweis fought so hard to prevent those women who died from childbed fever.

    This article originally appeared at: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/01/12/375663920/the-doctor-who-championed-hand-washing-and-saved-women-s-lives.
  • Use Fennel For That Less-Stuffed-Post-Feast-Feeling

    Use Fennel For That Less-Stuffed-Post-Feast-Feeling

    Did you know that fennel is a multi-tasker? It’s an herb, a vegetable and a spice. It’s been long regarded as a digestive aid, with the Greeks, Chinese, Indians and Egyptians all heralding its benefits in soothing gastrointestinal issues.
    Maybe you love the “licorice” flavor, or perhaps you have an aversion, but either way, it’s wise to know about this wonderful plant’s ability to help digest and soothe minor to even serious intestinal issues.
    Chewing the seeds is a common practice in India. You might just test it out and chew a few seeds after your Thanksgiving meal, or any meal for that matter.
    Fennel’s essential oils make it a powerful antioxidant and digestive aid. Fennel seeds can help soothe stomach cramps, reduce gas and bloating, stimulate the flow of bile, relax the colon and even help heal colitis, Chron’s and IBS. Babies with colic can even be soothed with diluted fennel tea.
    Fennel is also a mild diuretic, assisting with flushing excess water and toxins out of the body. That’s especially helpful after all the salt and carbs of a typical Thanksgiving feast.
    Easy ways to use fennel:
    • Chew a dozen or so seeds after a meal
    • Crush the seeds and use in herb mixtures, dressings and rubs
    • Eat raw fennel in salads, as a snack, or roast fennel with EVOO and other vegetables for a delicious side
    • Purchase or make fennel tea as a post-meal digestive aid

    So, enjoy your feasting and grab some fennel to help it all digest just a little easier!

  • Benefits and uses of Yarrow

    Benefits and uses of Yarrow

    Yarrow is an herb that I always keep on hand, especially with kids. It is part of my Sweet Dreams Sleep Tincture and I often add it to teas or preparations for the kids.Native American herbal medicine makes extensive use of yarrow. Among the Micmac people of Maine, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, the stalk was chewed or stewed to induce sweating to “break” fevers and colds. They also pounded the stalks into a pulp to be applied to bruises, sprains, and swelling. Yarrow is also a natural insect repellant. This beneficial plant grows fairly easily in the Treasure Valley.

    Dramatic Benefits of Yarrow:
    from LearningHerbs.com

    My first introduction to yarrow was quite dramatic. While out camping, a friend sliced open her hand quite deeply and it started to profusely flow with blood. After sitting her down and raising her hand above her heart, yarrow was picked fresh and place on the wound. Within seconds it stopped bleeding. Later at the emergency room the doctor was at first annoyed with the “dirty” plant material that was placed in the wound, but then amazed as he realized how deep the cut was, and how very little blood there was.

    Yarrow is another magical herb that can not only stop bleeding almost instantly, but can also increase circulation when taken internally or used externally to promote blood flow in bruises or varicose veins. Yarrow’s healing abilities have been known for an immeasurable amount of time and have even been made famous in our myths of Achilles.

    Read More at https://learningherbs.com/remedies-recipes/natural-insect-repellent/

    Wellness Mama talks about the benefits of yarrow with her young children.

    Yarrow is one of my go-to herbs for children. It is helpful in relieving fevers, shortening the duration of cold and flu, helping improve relaxation during illness, and relieving cramps associated with hormones or illness. Applied topically, it is helpful with skin itching, rash or other issues.

    An external tincture or poultice will often help with hemorrhoids, rashes and broken skin. Some people will notice relief from allergy symptoms by drinking a tea of yarrow and mint.

    From Practical Herbalism:

    “Yarrow flower used in chronic diseases of the urinary apparatus, is especially recommended by Prof. J. M. Scudder. It exerts a tonic influence upon the venous system, as well as upon mucous membranes. It has been efficacious in sore throat, hemoptysis, hematuria and other forms of hemorrhage where the bleeding is mall in amount; incontinence of urine, diabetes, hemorrhoids with bloody and mucoid discharges, and dysentery. Also in amenorrhea, flatulency and spasmodic diseases, and in the form of injection in leucorrhea with relaxed vaginal walls. It will be found to be one of our best agents for the relief of menorrhagia.”

    Priest & Priest tell us that it is a mild, slow, and stimulating diaphoretic that is best used for the first stage of acute fevers, and for atonic and relaxed tissues where there is free discharge or passive hemorrhage of bright red blood. They recommend cold preparations to stimulate the appetite and tone the digestive organs, and give the following specific indications: Acute stage of colds; influenza and respiratory catarrhs; chronic diarrhea and dysentery; epistaxis; intestinal hemorrhage, bleeding hemorrhoids, uterine hemorrhage; profuse or protracted menstruation; and leucorrhea.”

    From Mountain Rose Herbs:

    “The British Herbal Compendium notes that preparations of yarrow lower fevers, induce sweating, stop cramps, encourage menstruation, relieve inflammation, and stimulate the release of stomach acid to digest proteins and fats. The herb is taken internally to treat colds, fevers, and indigestion, and used in skin treatments of slow-healing wounds. The Complete German Commission E Monographs recommends sitz baths with yarrow added to the bath water to relieve pelvic cramps in women.”

    How We Use Yarrow:

    • In homemade Buckwheat Relaxation pillows to help promote restful sleep
    • In sweet dreams sleep tincture for times when falling asleep is difficult
    • In teas (with mint and chamomile) during illness
    • As a tea, tincture or poultice on skin for rashes and itching
    • As a tincture to help ease menstrual cramps and hormone issues (not for use during pregnancy)
    • Yarrow tea often helps with congestion symptoms from allergies and illness
    • Adding yarrow to skin lotions, oils or salves can help with eczema or dry skin
    • I add a strong yarrow tea to my child’s bath for a high fever that I want to bring down naturally
    • Since it is helpful in stopping bleeding and avoiding infection, poultices of yarrow and plantain can be helpful on wounds

    Have you ever used yarrow? How do you use it? Share your tips below!